Back into Shape By Kristen Kaiser, Rocky Vista University Would you believe that spring has finally arrived? As the warm weather creeps in, I realize that I have not stuck to any of my New Year’s resolutions. I once read that roughly 80 percent of people give up on their resolutions within the first six weeks of the new year. If this describes you, it’s okay! Even if you have not thought about your New Year’s resolutions in some time, don’t call it quits just yet. Now is the time to rethink those resolutions.
Be Specific When it comes to setting goals, make them SMART. What are smart goals? They are: • Specific. Be as clear as possible about your goal. •M easurable. Set a quantifiable goal, such as “I will lose 10 percent of my body weight” or “I will lose ten pounds.” •A ttainable. Choose a goal that is challenging yet possible to achieve. • Relevant. Keep your goals in line with your priorities. • Time sensitive. Give yourself a time frame in which to achieve a goal. A deadline will instill some urgency and provide motivation.
Mentally Prepare for Change Change is never easy, especially when you have ingrained habits. It’s important to take a step back and prepare for the changes you want to make. Take a personal inventory by asking yourself these questions: What did I set out to do in the past year? What did I accomplish or where did I make progress? What can I do better in the future? Stay positive and take your time when making big changes.
Write Down Your Goals Writing down your goals and resolutions will clarify what it is you want to achieve and make you accountable. Written goals are a reminder of how far you have come and what you have achieved.
The spring season represents rebirth, renewal, and growth. It’s time to get off the couch, reset some goals, and get back into the swing of things! Let’s get the spring season started on a healthy foot with these tips:
Set Realistic Goals Chances are, you will need to start slowly as you get back into a new routine. Start by exercising two or three times per week. This way, you can make exercise a priority, and once you’ve established a routine, you can increase the number of exercise days. You also need to be realistic about the results you expect to see. About the Author Kristen was born and raised in northern Utah. She migrated to southern Utah for the beautiful weather and sunny days. Kristen is the Assistant Marketing Manager for Rocky Vista University. She loves her job at the medical school, working with the future doctors of tomorrow. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family. With a blended family of six children, three dogs, and three cats, there is never a dull moment.
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Share Your Resolutions with Others While writing down a resolution or goal is a great way to stay on track, sharing your goal with a friend or family member is also beneficial. If the goal is to exercise more, brainstorm with your family or friends about how to be active together. Having a workout buddy or someone who can encourage you to exercise is a great help, especially when you are in a rut. Don’t Beat Yourself Up It will take time for your resolution to become a reality. The worst thing you can do is beat yourself up about missing a day of exercise or falling off schedule. Be flexible with yourself, cut yourself some slack, and don’t give up. Keep the commitments you made to yourself.
Use this spring season to recommit to your goals, motivate yourself, and grow. It takes time to develop a habit, but it is possible if you do it one day at a time. Note: Please remember to follow the CDC guidelines. Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay at least six feet (about two arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you. Avoid crowds. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19. Please be safe.
